Testimonials
Alice Bufton fellow 2018
“There is a dialogue that is unique to the biennale – the experiencing of different cultures and customs through the gathering of people in one place because of their shared passion for Architecture. I met people from all over the world who were engaged and interested in this interpretation of Freespace. The fellowship research project encouraged us to explore this memerizing city… the sense of family that you experience from working at the biennale is second to none”
November 2023
Alice Bufton
MArch4 student, Fellow July 2018
Research A study in void: a short exploration into the spatiality of the void in venetian streetscape, focusing on the social housing project by Gino Valle on the island of Giudecca.
Read more about Alices time at the Biennale here
British Pavilion: ‘After Island’ curated by Caruso St John and Marcus Taylor
Nathaniel Welham fellow 2018
“I arrived back in the UK just over a month ago and continue to reminisce about my experiences in Venice. From heated debates about the politics of the UK and forty-minute firework displays to simply carrying the shopping of a helpless elderly local, Venice never failed to inspire, delight and amaze.
For me the British Pavilion was a fascinating study into how successfully architecture can establish a dialogue between people. In the accompanying Island publication, Adam Caruso explains that the pavilion was intended to be “optimistic, depressing and funny at the same time”. I witnessed all three states of mind first hand during my time working at the pavilion which made every day as interesting as the last and provided me with a rich tapestry of thoughts and opinions to improve my understanding of my profession.
The city is at an important part in its history and I’m very grateful that I was lucky enough to spend such a long period of time there with the help of the University of Liverpool and the British Council. I hope that my time spent there documenting the fascinating and unique culture of the city will contribute to the research of future students and other members of the public who become equally awed and humbled by this fascinating city.“
Nathaniel Welham
MArch4 student, Fellow July 2018
Research :The evolution, role and significance of piazza’s, campo and campiello to the urban morphology of Venice
British Pavilion: ‘After Island’ curated by Caruso St John and Marcus Taylor
Venice Biennale 2018 | Venice Architecture Biennale | ADF – British Council
Nansi Jones fellow 2018
“My involvement as a Fellow at the 2018 Venice Biennale was one of the most inspiring things I have ever done. I was lucky enough to spend a month living and breathing Venetian life, truly a once in a lifetime experience. I was able to meet and work with passionate, inspiring, and like-minded individuals. Some of which I am still fortunate enough to call close friends. It was also through these connections that I was able to gain an introduction to my dream architecture practice, for whom I have now worked for the last 4.5 years. If I could go back and re-live that special month all over again I absolutely would. Make the most of it all; go to all the parties, get lost amongst the labyrinth and drink all the Aperol Spritz – you won’t regret it.”
Nansi Jones
MArch 4 student, Fellow May 2018
Research: Venice’s Churches How they’ve Shaped the City and its Communities
British Pavilion ‘Island’ curated by Caruso St John Architects and artist Marcus Taylor
Andrew lane fellow 2019
“Venice presented an amazing opportunity to be part of the circus of the Biennale ,to see and read the fabric of the city and to gage the public’s reaction to it. To be able to explore and interrogate a number of my references was also hugely beneficial and directly influenced my later academic work. These conversations and discussions held with my peers, a diverse mix of people form a variety of arts backgrounds ,allowed me to critically reflection building and gain wider perspectives. Venice opens doors, starts conversations, but most importantly allows a pause to reassess ahead of Future practice.”
Andrew Lane
MArch4 student, Fellow July 2019
Research : The spread of style within architecture . A study of Andrea Palladio’s buildings in and around Venice,
Fellows 2020 – 21
Kate Johnstone ,Emily March and Tolulope Ogunjimi were successfully appointed to be our LSA 2020 Fellows. In early 2020 the Pandemic struck, and the Venice Architecture Biennale was postponed to 2021. Due to international travel restrictions the fellowship was offered online. Kate Emily and Tolulope did not get to experience a month in Venice.
Tolulope did however contribute an article to our LSA 2021 Yearbook
Kate Johnstone
MArch 4 student, Fellow 2020-21
Emily March
MArch4 student, Fellow 2020-21
Tolu Ogunjimi
MArch student, Fellow 2020-21
“The global pandemic has highlighted the importance of accessible public spaces and made the need to address issues of inequality even more critical’ says Madeleine Kessler. ‘The Garden of Privatised Delights proposes proactive ways in which we can work together towards a more equitable society, including widening consultation on and inclusivity in design, to ensure public spaces are truly accessible to all”
The Garden of Privatised Delights, British Pavilion 2021 | British Council
Entitled The Garden of Privatised Delights, the collaboratively designed immersive experience was inspired by Hieronymus Bosch’s triptych The Garden of Earthly Delights
Photo: Christiano Corte ©British Council
Razan Simbawa fellow 2022
“There are opportunities in life that don’t come twice. When I was first presented with the proposal to apply for Venice Biennale Fellowship, I was extremely excited Being an international Ph.D student ,a mother of two ,and a new resident to the UL, I had a lot on my plate. Yet I looked forward to being accepted to this very interesting program. Throughout the virtual workshops and presentations, I had the chance to meet fascinating people. Being surrounded by art and creativity reminded me of a quote by Pablo Picasso: ‘art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life’ As an architect and researcher, I am intrigued by the beauty of historical cities, the stories of people .this fellowship program allowed me to be captivated in both worlds and I am utterly grateful for the opportunity”
Razan Simbawa
PHD student, Fellow May 2022
Research: Temporary Spaces for Worship
59th International Art Biennale . theme : THE MILK OF DREAMS – curated by Cecilia Alemani
Rim Yassine Kassab fellow 2022
“I went to Venice in my third year of my PhD studies in Architecture. The month-long engagement at the Venice Biennale has had a good impact on my research studies within the realm of architecture. Immersed in this dynamic and globally significant event, I found a unique convergence of both art and architecture.
I had the opportunity to contribute to the creation of an artistic project during the Biennale. It not only broadened my perspectives and my interests but also catalyzed a deeper reflection on my ongoing PhD work. The experience provided me with fresh insights and innovative perspectives that I have integrated into my academic pursuits.
Beyond the tangible output, the immersive experience of the Venice Biennale was humanly enriching. I’ve met amazing people and got to live in one of the most beautiful cities in the world”
Rim Yassine Kassab
PHD student, Fellow May 2022
Research: Metamorphosis and Permanence
59th International Art Biennale . theme : THE MILK OF DREAMS – curated by Cecilia Alemani
Toby Barlow fellow 2023
“Being a part of the Venice Biennale through the fellowship programme was an unforgettable experience. It was amazing to have the opportunity to live in a city with no cars and stunning buildings around each corner.
The role inside the British pavilion allowed me to be involved in conversations and interactions that have deepened my understanding and critical thinking around Architecture. Seeing so many Art and Architectural exhibitions widened by view on social and visual aspects aligned with these subjects.
Whilst the project allowed me to apply this critical thinking towards the city, influencing the work that I have done in my fifth year of studies, paying particular attention to choices of materials and their associated embodied carbon. I am sure that the experience I had within this month in Venice will crop up in conversations throughout my career. November 2023 “
Toby Barlow
MArch4 student, Fellow June 2023
Research: Sustainable Construction in Venice
Keisha Pearce fellow 2023
“The Venice fellowship was such an amazing opportunity for me to immerse myself in the architectural industry by meeting other like minded fellows as well as established artists and architects. The experience of living in Venice for a month was a once in a lifetime opportunity that really sparked my creativity and made me appreciate architecture on another level having lived in such a beautiful city.
I would recommend the Venice Fellowship to everyone who has the chance as it really inspired me and became a turning point in my degree as well as informing my final year dissertation.”
June 2024
Keisha Pearce
MArch4 student, Fellow May 2023
Research: A decorated City Studies of Venice Grafitti
Alice Holmes fellow 2024
“I feel incredibly grateful to have spent a month fully immersed in Venetian life while working in the exhibition ‘Listening All Night to the Rain’ by Sir John Akomfrah and Tarini Malik, as part of the Venice Biennale Fellowship Programme. Being involved with the exhibition within the British pavilion gave me a unique perspective on exhibition design and how artists and curators can utilize the architecture of the space to convey themes within their artwork – something I’m already beginning to explore further in my academic work.
In addition, I had the opportunity to connect with artists from all over the world, including photographers, jewellery makers, curators, and painters—people I wouldn’t have met otherwise. Since leaving Venice, we’ve been exploring ways to collaborate on projects inspired by our experiences, and we’re even planning a trip back next year.
Overall, the friendships I made, the knowledge I gained, and the memories I created as a Venice Biennale Fellow will stay with me forever, and I’m excited to see how they will influence my work after university.“
Alice Holmes
MArch4 student, Fellow June 2024
Research: Mapping an area of Venice
British Pavilion. Listening All Night to the Rain John Akomfrah
60th International Art Biennale . theme : FOREIGNERS EVERYWHERE – curated by Adriano Pedrosa
Alice with group 3 (back middle) image @ Bristish Council
Amber Potts fellow 2024
Hi! My name is Amber and I am currently undertaking the Venice fellowship programme and this experience has been entirely life changing.
At first I was really nervous as spending a month away meeting completely new people is really out of my comfort zone.
As a transgender woman I had so many anxieties about travelling outside of the UK in regards to safety and access to my medication, making the option of a semester abroad or year abroad completely unfeasible. As I’ve been saving up for gender affirming surgeries I’ve also been unable to take personal trips outside of the UK as I couldn’t afford it. This fellowship has allowed me to fully immerse myself in Venice in a way that simply wouldn’t be possible to me by any other means, and has greatly increased my confidence in both my creative abilities but also more importantly as a person.
The fellowship has 3 main components in my mind: working at the pavilion, conducting the research project, and networking/cultural experience. All of these are linked and have been greatly beneficial to my personal development and have really opened my eyes to what life could really be like. I’ve met so many amazing people and made such great connections, I’ve received invaluable career advice from people I would have no way of contacting if I wasn’t enrolled on this programme. I really think that people who haven’t had the opportunity to travel as much would benefit the most from this experience, even from an architectural perspective it’s so exciting exploring the city and seeing how differently things are done here to the UK.
Working at the bienalle has been amazing for my confidence as well, this is my first public facing job since transitioning from male to female and I was absolutely terrified of how I would be received, but to my shock I have been treated with only dignity and respect and my confidence in finding employment has skyrocketed. It’s always been a huge anxiety of mine that being visibly transgender would ruin my opportunities of employment, but in the art world and in creative fields there is a whole world for me that I would be completely blind to if I hadn’t had this amazing experience at working at the bienalle. The city is safe and beautiful, and I can confidently walk around here without any fear or anxiety.
I can see how different individuals would benefit from different elements of this trip, to me, working in the bienalle and experiencing living in a new country has been the most beneficial. My research project initially was architecturally orientated, but quickly changed to a more artistic approach to the medicalisation of the transgender experience, as many trans artists have adapted this 60th year anniversary bienalle theme “foreigners everywhere” to include the notion that being trans is to be a foreigner in your own body, which I heavily related to as a dysphoric transwoman. It was surreal to see a statue of a trans woman standing alone in Venetian architect Carlo scarpa’s famous sculpture garden. This trip has encouraged me to explore and experiment with more artistic mediums, and I look forward to taking a more experimental and creative approach to my final year thesis project.
This is definitely the best opportunity I’ve ever had and I am really proud to say I have made the most of it, I’m actually excited to go back to Liverpool with fresh eyes on everything, and am so glad that I pushed myself to come here despite my anxieties. I could not recommend this experience enough to anyone considering applying, I am just so grateful.”
Amber Potts
MArch4 student, Fellow June 2024
British Pavilion. Listening All Night to the Rain John Akomfrah
60th International Art Biennale . theme : FOREIGNERS EVERYWHERE – curated by Adriano Pedrosa
Image courtesy of Amber Potts